# LiveKit Agents vs xiaozhi-esp32-server
_Voice Agents · independent comparison_

> LiveKit Agents and xiaozhi-esp32-server are both open-source voice agents you can self-host for free. LiveKit Agents is written primarily in Python; xiaozhi-esp32-server in JavaScript. Neither is universally better — pick by fit.

## Side by side

**LiveKit Agents**
- Open source · Framework · 14k★ · Python · Apache-2.0 · active today
- Best for: Developers building custom voice or multimodal agents around LiveKit rooms and their own application logic.
- Avoid if: You need a finished phone-support product without building and testing agent behavior. This entry covers the framework, not every LiveKit Cloud product.
- [listing](https://agentsearchengine.app/agents/livekit-agents) · [official](https://docs.livekit.io/agents)

**xiaozhi-esp32-server**
- Open source · Infrastructure · 11k★ · JavaScript · MIT · active today
- [listing](https://agentsearchengine.app/agents/xiaozhi-esp32-server) · [official](http://xiaozhi.biz)

## Key differences

- LiveKit Agents is written primarily in Python; xiaozhi-esp32-server in JavaScript.
- Licensing differs: LiveKit Agents is Apache-2.0, xiaozhi-esp32-server is MIT.

## Which to choose

**Choose LiveKit Agents if:** Developers building custom voice or multimodal agents around LiveKit rooms and their own application logic.

**Choose xiaozhi-esp32-server if:** your team works primarily in JavaScript.

## FAQ

**What's the main difference between LiveKit Agents and xiaozhi-esp32-server?**
LiveKit Agents is written primarily in Python; xiaozhi-esp32-server in JavaScript.

**Is LiveKit Agents or xiaozhi-esp32-server better?**
Neither is universally better. LiveKit Agents is the stronger fit for Developers building custom voice or multimodal agents around LiveKit rooms and their own application logic; xiaozhi-esp32-server for teams working primarily in JavaScript. Use the side-by-side specs to decide by your own constraints.

**Is LiveKit Agents or xiaozhi-esp32-server free?**
LiveKit Agents is free to run and self-host; xiaozhi-esp32-server is free to run and self-host. Both are free to self-host — you only pay for the infrastructure and any model or API usage.

**Which is more popular, LiveKit Agents or xiaozhi-esp32-server?**
By GitHub stars — a proxy for open-source adoption — LiveKit Agents is ahead (14k vs 11k). Stars measure attention, not necessarily the better fit for you.

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Source: [Agent Search Engine](https://agentsearchengine.app) — https://agentsearchengine.app/compare/livekit-agents-vs-xiaozhi-esp32-server